Rydge and Scarr win Flying Dutchman NSW title

by Michael Chapman on 11 May 2008 Flying Dutchmen NSW State Championships ---- 26/27 April at Batemans Bay

Nine Flying Dutchmen crews from Sydney, Melbourne and country NSW contested the NSW championships held as part of the 2008 Eurobodalla Tourism Anzac Regatta on the beautiful Batemans Bay course, inshore of the Tollgate Islands.

The regatta was over two days, with two races in a light sea breeze on Day 1 fading to zero at sunset, forcing a shortened course in Race 2. Wooshka sailed by National Champions Norman Rydge and Richard Scarr won Race 1 and Politesse Michael Chapman and Alan Griffith drifted in to win Race 2.

A gale was forecast for Day 2 but instead, a gusty land breeze from the North West ranging from 5 to 25 knots sprayed the inshore course. Wooshka comfortably won both heats to win the regatta from Lupercus (Ian McCrossin and James Cook) second, and Politesse third.

The variable conditions over the weekend advantaged those crews who had recently spent time training.
Norman Rydge and Richard Scarr had been sailing three or four times a week with an emphasis on boat handling. Clearly, their slick work distinguished them from the fleet. Very little else could be drawn from the event.
Nevertheless, it was an excellent workout for the Wooshka crew preparating for the Europeans in Rabac Croatia 30 May - 7 June 2008. http://www.fly.hr/

Carbon rigs in FDs

Five different carbon masts are currently being used in the Australian FD fleet, and a variety of sails. All are going fast with no clear advantage to any rig. AUS 37 Wooshka, no longer has the boatspeed advantage that was apparent last season.

Rig and sail development

Over the next few weeks the Wooshka team is taking a critical look at stiffer rigs delivered by CTech and CST. If they seem to have merit each rig will be shipped separately to Europe. Central to their campaign is Bruce Hollis of Ullman sails who will accompany Norman and Richard to Croatia for a week’s tuning and evaluation before the regatta begins on June 1st. They plan to tune against the Spanish fleet which recently placed a large order for sails from Bruce Hollis, Ullman Sails Australia.

What lies ahead downunder

The 2009 FD Worlds are being conducted hosted by Napier Sailing Club, North Island, New Zealand.
31 December 2008 to 11 January 2009

http://www.nzfda.com/2008Worlds/

So there is renewed interest and new blood entering the FD fleet.
The Wooshka team's results and findings in Europe will be a useful pointer for Australian crews. However as always, there is no substitute for training.


http://www.fd.net.au